Find out how popular the last name Zawadski is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Zawadski.

Zawadski, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Zawadski surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zawadski in America

Zawadski is the 76768th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zawadski surname appeared 250 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Zawadski.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zawadski to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Zawadski

The surname Zawadski is of Polish origin, typically indicating a geographic connection or locational derivation. The name "Zawadski" is derived from the Polish word "zawada," which means an "obstacle" or "hindrance." This term could refer to various natural or artificial impediments, such as a river, hill, or man-made barrier. Thus, the surname often signified someone who lived near such a feature.

The name Zawadski is thought to have originated in the medieval period, around the 13th to 15th centuries, when surnames became more commonly used in Poland and other parts of Europe for tax and identification purposes. Surnames typically became hereditary during this time. Zawadski is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally derived from the father's given name or the name of an ancestor distinguished by living near a "zawada."

Geographically, the surname Zawadski is predominantly found in central and eastern Poland, especially in regions like Masovia, where many families adopted place-based surnames. Historical documents and records, including land registers and church manuscripts from the 16th and 17th centuries, occasionally reference individuals with the surname Zawadski.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Zawadski can be traced back to the 16th century in Poland. Jan Zawadski, born circa 1550, is mentioned in local Masovian records as a landowner. The presence of the surname in these documents indicates the name's established and distinguished connection to specific localities.

The village of Zawady in Poland, located in Podlaskie Voivodeship, is likely one of the locations from which the surname was derived. Historically, individuals moving away from such villages often adopted the locational name as their own, which helped in identifying their origins. The surname would sometimes appear in various spellings, such as Zawada or Zawadzki, depending on regional dialects and transcription habits.

Prominent individuals bearing the surname include Antoni Zawadski, a noted 18th-century Polish nobleman and military figure, who was influential in his region. Antoni, born in 1720, played a significant role in local politics and contributed to community developments during his time.

In the scientific field, the surname is represented by Ludwik Zawadski (1887-1952), a distinguished Polish physicist known for his contributions to the study of semiconductor physics. Zawadski’s work helped lay the foundation for advancements in modern electronic and material sciences.

Another notable figure is Józef Zawadzki (1891-1983), a renowned Polish chemist instrumental in biochemistry and molecular biology. His research and publications significantly impacted these fields, and he held esteemed academic positions throughout his career.

In literature, Wacław Zawadski (1845-1900), a Polish writer and poet, gained recognition for his contributions to Polish literature during the late 19th century. His works often reflected national themes and cultural identity, becoming a part of Poland’s rich literary heritage.

Karol Zawadski, a notable painter born in 1876, made significant contributions to Polish art. His work was showcased in various exhibitions and continues to be celebrated for its unique style and cultural relevance.

The Zawadski surname remains a testament to the rich history and cultural heritage associated with Polish geography and identity, with many bearing the name throughout centuries contributing to various fields such as military, science, literature, and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zawadski

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Zawadski.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Zawadski was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Zawadski has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Zawadski was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zawadski, please contact us.

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